Louisville Male High School

Ninth and Chestnut (1856–1897)

Founded 161 years ago in 1856, Louisville Male High School became the first high school west of the Allegheny Mountains. Therefore, Male was known originally as "High School." After other high schools were established in the years following, and eventually the school was named "Louisville Male High School", the "H" was kept as the school's letter for tradition and to honor the origins of the school.

Corner of Brook Street and Breckinridge Street (1915–1991)

In 1976, an early-morning bomb explosion on Labor Day caused damage to the school's gymnasium; it occurred during several days of anti-busing protests in the Louisville area. The FBI was called in to investigate.

This location (38.2404°N 85.7523°W / 38.2404; -85.7523) is now owned by Salvation Army and is a historic landmark in Louisville.

4409 Preston Highway (1991–present)

In August 1991, Male moved to its current campus at 4409 Preston Highway, an educational facility that doubled the instructional, laboratory, library and campus space. Since it has moved to this location, the school has won two U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon awards. The site was previously Sallie P. Durrett High School, which became the Durrett Education Center in the early 1980s and was used by Jefferson County Public Schools Library Media Services until 1991. The adjoining Gheens Academy, which opened in 1983, was previously Prestonia Elementary School.

Academics

The school runs a unique curriculum that is different from the other public high schools in the city. All students participate in the College Preparatory Program so as to guarantee the transition to higher education is as smooth as possible.

Students have an opportunity to graduate with a Commonwealth Diploma, which demands more than the required units for graduating high school in JCPS. One of the stipulations is the successful completion (i.e., receiving a grade of "C" or its equivalent) in 4 AP courses in the areas of English, Science/Mathematics, Foreign Language, and Elective.

Athletics

On Saturday, November 18, 1893, the annual Male-Manual football rivalry, the longest running, continuously played, high school football series in Kentucky, began. Their football team is a perennial state power, and in addition to its long-running rivalry with Manual, Male is also a close rival with St. Xavier High School, with the annual contest usually determining the fate of the district champion; however, due to the state's realignment of high school football into a six-class system starting in 2007–08, Male is the third winningest football program in the United States and the winningest program in Kentucky.

Male also has a rivalry with Trinity High School in football. The school offers football (State Championships: 14)(State Runners-up:3), basketball (State Championships: 4)(State Runners-up: 5), baseball (State Championship: 1944), softball (State Runner-up: 2015), bowling, tennis, soccer, field hockey, wrestling, swimming, track and field (5-Peat State Championship Winners: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011) and lacrosse.

Venues

Maxwell Field, formerly called High School Park, was the football stadium located behind Male's former location on Brook Street. In 1984 a double murder known locally as the Trinity murders occurred behind the stadium. This is now the site of the Dawson Orman Education Center.

Clubs and organizations

Students participate in many clubs and organizations: Art Club, Band (Marching, Concert, Symphonic), Beta Club, Brook 'n' Breck Newspaper, Chorus (Boys, Girls), Drama Club, FBLA, FCA, FCA, Governor's Scholars, French Honor Society, JROTC (Drill Team, Color Guard, Rifle Team, Raider Team), Lacrosse, Latin Club, Latin Honor Society, Literary Magazine, Marine Biology, Math Team, Men of Quality, MTRP, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Orchestra, Peer Mediation, Quick Recall (Varsity, JV), Recycling Squad, Red Cross, SAM (serving at male), Show Choir (Boys, Girls), Spanish Honor Society, Speech & Debate, Student Senate, Student Technology Leadership Program, Women of Quality, Writing Team, Yearbook, and YMCA Club.